The time has come, it’s not going to be pretty, but it is necessary to potty train your toddler twins. In this blog, we’ll go over all you need to know about potty training your twins.
Both parents and children can experience potty training as a marker for accomplishment and a struggle. When you add twins to the mix, the journey becomes that much more challenging. You may want to get rid of the double diapers sooner rather than later, but you might be nervous about how to train your twins without causing stress. But don’t give up hope- with a bit of creativity, you can make potty training twins a breeze.
Let’s start with some tips to make this process as smooth as possible.
Table of Contents
Prepare your twins ahead of time
Before you begin potty training, you may try to make it easier for your twins by preparing them for what’s ahead. You may accomplish this by reading books about potty training to your kids and taking them shopping for new underwear to learn in.
Timing is everything
You’ll want to keep an eye out for any indicators that your kid is ready. The average age for potty training identical twins is about 18 months. However, if your children don’t show readiness, there’s no need to push them. It’s crucial to start the habit in a good light. They should not be frustrated by the process.
Be Flexible
Although they’re identical, a “one-size-fits-all” technique won’t always work. Some parents and children succeed with the 3-day approach, while others just require more time. Being adaptable is crucial.
Adjust your techniques to suit your children’s personalities. Some kids like being praised constantly, while others prefer a low-key approach. Some need continual reminders; some want to take the process into their own hands. Some are comfortable discussing bodily functions, while others want privacy.
You know your children best, so you can choose the most effective strategy. While you may establish a successful routine at home during the day, it may be necessary to utilize different techniques when you are away from home.
How will you plan for your kids’ different activities? Remember to pack the potty, and everything else necessary to keep your kids clean and dry. Flexibility is the key.
Dress your twins for success
If you’re planning to potty train your twins at 18 months or later, make sure they have practical clothing. It’s not a good idea to dress them in clothing that they won’t be able to pull down (if necessary) themselves. Make sure they wear clothes that allow them to remove them in case of an emergency.
If you’re worried about your children’s beautiful clothing getting dirty, don’t dress them in such things during this time. Some parents choose to potty train their kids during the summer months because children are less clothed and quicker to remove. Also, if there is an error, fewer filthy or soiled clothes would need washing.
Consider personal training
It’s certainly easier to train both twins at the same time. However, it may not be feasible for every family. Many parents have noticed that girls appear to be ready and get the hang of toilet training quicker than boys. As a result, boy/girl twin pairs are more inclined to need specialized training.
If you potty train both of your twins simultaneously, they may enjoy each other’s company and rivalry, encouraging and forcing one another to achieve success. However, don’t be shocked if one twin’s accomplishment causes the other to regress. You’ll have to decide whether a one-on-one approach is more successful.
Some pairs find potty training together to be too distracting and disruptive. Potty time may turn into a game with unpleasant consequences.
It might get messy
Potty training can be difficult, especially if you have twins. Be prepared for the mess because children will have spills or setbacks as part of their development. Have lots of clean clothes on hand; safeguard the things you don’t want to get soiled or dirty by securing them with gates or restricting access to these areas if your children understand the concept of ‘no’ or ‘not yet.’ Place a potty in each bathroom, and ensure that your child has easy access to them when he or she feels the urge. You can also put a potty in your child’s bedroom when they wake up during the night needing to go.
Set up a reward system
Rewards are popular, and they keep us motivated. If your children show excellent potty training conduct, you should reward each successful potty. The only problem with this is that if one child performs well and receives all the prizes, the other may become jealous or cause bitterness between siblings.
This may be a setback for the other kid, and he may take longer to learn. In contrast, rewarding may be a fantastic method to make good progress if your kids like competing. You may also help promote healthy competitive behavior by keeping it entertaining for both.
Get a potty seat for each twin
It may be difficult to get twins to share everything, particularly their potty seats or toys. When there’s only one potty seat in the home, you may notice that your kids want to use it simultaneously, and it’s a battle of who gets to sit on the potty. Get two seats to prevent this from happening; we recommend identical ones for your twins to avoid confusion. This will also work for other toys and items the twins may want to share.
It’s okay to ask for help
We agree that potty training your twins may be stressful for the mother or father, but if you cannot handle the stress on your own, it would be understandable to seek assistance. For that period, you can rely on the family around you.
A nanny could be your best option if you have the financial means. This is only a short time and should not be stressful. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re unable to manage it; it’s okay. Take this as an opportunity to explore your boundaries and have some fun with your kids. Seek assistance from a professional if needed.
Stick to a similar schedule
Twins may be trained simultaneously, and it’s sometimes the most efficient technique for parents. If that’s your choice, you’ll have greater success if you keep your twins on a similar timetable.
When it comes to potty training, many parents relied on a timetable while their twins were infants, and they’ve found that it works as well.
Twins who eat, drink, and sleep at the same time are also more likely to use the facilities together.
Introduce potty time as a part of their daily routine to assist your child use the toilet regularly.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, keep things in perspective. Potty training is a temporary stage in parenting. Your children will eventually learn to use the toilet, and you will be able to get rid of the diapers. You may anticipate when your children are dry and can use the bathroom alone. It will come, but these are the moments and milestones you will reflect on fondly.
